🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Mak is the third-largest island in the Trat sea after Koh Chang and Koh Kood, shaped a bit like a four-pointed star and covering nearly 9,000 rai. What people love is that the terrain is fairly flat — none of the steep hills you get on Koh Chang — which makes it much easier to explore on your own. The one thing you have to plan is the boats, because schedules change with the season and some operators stop running during the monsoon.
First step — getting to the pier on the Trat side
Boats to Koh Mak leave from the mainland in Trat province, and there are two main piers to choose from: Laem Ngop Pier (Krom Luang Chumphon) and Laem Sok Pier. Before you reach either one, you first need to travel from Bangkok down to Trat.
- Driving yourself — from Bangkok, take Motorway 7 then Sukhumvit Road, around 4–5 hours to Trat. There's overnight parking near the piers, roughly 50–80 THB/day.
- Minivan / coach — the Transport Co. (BKS) route 999 coach from Ekkamai to Trat is around 290 THB, or there are several minivan departures to Trat each day. Get off in Trat town and continue by songthaew or shuttle to the pier.
- Flying — fly into Trat Airport (Bangkok Airways) and continue by road to the pier. It saves a lot of time if you'd rather not do the long drive.
- Car + boat package — many boat operators sell combo tickets with a shuttle from Bangkok or Pattaya that arrives at the pier in time for the boat. Handy if you don't have a car.
Give yourself time to catch the boat
Most boats to Koh Mak run from late morning through the afternoon — there are no late-night departures. Coming from Bangkok, you'll need an early start to make an afternoon boat. Aim to reach the pier at least 30–45 minutes before departure to check in and allow for traffic.
Choosing a pier — Laem Ngop or Laem Sok
The two piers differ in crossing time and which operators run from each. Pick whichever has departures that fit your travel timing — prices are about the same either way.
- Laem Ngop Pier (Krom Luang Chumphon) — the popular one, with several speedboat operators. The crossing is around 45–60 minutes. Good if you want plenty of departures to choose from.
- Laem Sok Pier — south of Trat town, with a slightly shorter crossing of around 30–40 minutes. It has both speedboats and catamaran ferries, which ride smoother.
Speedboats vs. ferries — rough prices and schedules
Koh Mak uses two types of boat: speedboats (fast, but you feel the waves more) and catamaran ferries (a little slower but smoother, better if you get seasick). The figures below are approximate high-season prices — check the actual schedule with the operator again before you travel, since timetables often aren't announced far in advance.
Leelawadee Speedboat
Departs from Laem Ngop — a big, popular operator with several departures a day in high season. The counter is at Krom Luang Chumphon Pier.
Panan Speedboat
Another Laem Ngop operator, with afternoon and evening departures — good if you reach Trat in the afternoon.
Boonsiri Catamaran Ferry
A bigger boat that rides smoother than a speedboat, leaving from Laem Sok — good if you get seasick or have a lot of luggage. It also links Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
Suansuk Speedboat
Runs from Laem Ngop with late-morning and afternoon departures — a solid backup if the other operators are full or don't line up.
Seatales / The Mak Speedboat
Another Laem Ngop speedboat with departures spread through the day in high season. Call to confirm first, since some months it doesn't run a full schedule.
Slow boat (wooden boat)
A budget wooden boat that takes about 3 hours. It doesn't run every day and departures are very limited — only worth it if you're on a tight budget and genuinely not in a hurry. Check the running days in advance.
Carry cash
The piers and many spots on the island still take cash only. There are few ATMs on Koh Mak and they sometimes run out of cash, so bring enough to cover boat tickets, your room, vehicle rental and food, with a little extra — better than running short while you're on the island.
What you need to know — the May–Oct monsoon closure
This is the single most important thing to plan around for Koh Mak. The low season, roughly June–October, is monsoon time — strong winds and waves. Most operators cut back to one departure a day, some stop running entirely, and many of the island's hotels and restaurants close for an extended break.
- Check before every booking — confirm boat departures, accommodation and restaurants are actually open on your travel dates. Don't trust old schedules online.
- Have a backup plan — on rough days boats can be cancelled at short notice, so allow for a night stuck on the mainland and have a plan B.
- Diving depends on the weather — snorkeling and diving trips around the nearby islands depend on sea conditions. On rough days the water's murky and trips may be cancelled, so don't lock in a fixed plan.
- Best window — November–April: calm seas, full boat schedules, and everything open and running.
Once you've landed — how to get around the island
The nice thing about Koh Mak is that it's fairly flat. The loop road around the island is about 27 km, with dedicated bike paths along several stretches, so it's much easier to explore on your own than a hilly island. The main spots — Ao Kao on the west side and Ao Suan Yai on the north — are only a few kilometres apart.
Scooter rental
The easiest option if you want to loop the whole island. A few stretches of road are slightly steep, where a scooter handles better. You can arrange rentals at the pier, your accommodation, or local restaurants.
Bicycle rental
A great fit for a flat island like this — easy riding past rubber plantations and sea views, perfect for short hops between beaches. But to loop the full 27 km you'll need the legs and should avoid the midday heat.
Electric golf cart (EV)
Some accommodations rent out EV golf carts that seat several people — good for families or groups who want to tour the island without sitting in the sun.
Hotel shuttle / walking
Many resorts run a free or low-cost shuttle from the pier. If you're staying right on the beach and aren't set on looping the island, strolling around the beach is plenty — no rental needed.
Ride safely
Roads on the island are narrow, with sandy patches and slick spots after rain. Wear a helmet, ride slowly, and watch for dogs and chickens crossing. "Petrol stations" on the island are small shops selling fuel by the bottle, so top up before you set off around the island.
Distances between spots — rough timings
- Pier → Ao Kao — a few kilometres, around 10 min by scooter or 20–25 min by bike.
- Ao Kao → Ao Suan Yai — crossing from the west side to the north, around 10–15 min by scooter.
- One full island loop — the loop road is about 27 km. By scooter you can take in the sights comfortably in half a day; by bike, allow a full day with rest stops.
- Viewpoints / small piers — scattered around the island at short distances, easy to stop and take photos along the way.
Sample 2-day, 1-night plan
Here's an example of how the timing can flow — adjust it to the actual boat schedule on your travel day.
From mainland to island
Loop the island, then head back
Travel light on the island
Koh Mak champions sustainable tourism, and some waste is hard to dispose of on the island. Bring your own water bottle, skip single-use plastics, and carry your trash back to the mainland if you can — it helps keep the island as beautiful as it is.
See Koh Mak's full guide to stays and sights before you book your boat
See the Koh Mak guide →